News

Car firm's pay rise to halt union drive

A THREE per cent rise has been offered to workers at TS Tech in an effort to stem the flow of staff joining Unite.

The car seat manufacturer, which supplies Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in South Marston, announced it would bump up wages by three per cent last Wednesday.

Earlier that day, Unite, the union which is trying to boost its membership at the factory in an effort to gain official recognition, distributed a newsletter exposing the absence of a pay rise in April’s payslips, the month which traditionally includes an annual rise for staff there.

Officers at the union have said the eventual rise was decided in a crisis meeting, called after the newsletter was given to workers, in an effort to deter staff from joining the ranks of the union.

Matt Hill, the officer leading Unite’s charge for more members at TS Tech since February, said: “They (TS Tech) told the workforce the pay rise was planned all along, but I know a meeting was called for 4pm that afternoon, when it was decided.

“They did it because they knew people were going to start joining the union because they hadn’t had a pay rise.

“They accused us of using propaganda to sway their workers, but we were simply highlighting the facts.”

As a supplier to HUM, TS Tech has been under scrutiny since the car maker announced in March that it would be slashing 500 jobs.

Unlike South Marston Distribution Centre (SDC), another of HUM’s suppliers, TS Tech has remained tight-lipped on how many jobs would go at its factory, but estimates suggest two-thirds of all agency staff would be cut to reduce costs.

The last of those agency staff to leave the business are likely to work their last day next Monday, when the Highworth firm has suggested it would have announced the pay rise, out of sensitivity to those leaving.

Mr Hill said: “They haven’t shown any sensitivity in bringing replacements in alongside the temporary staff and showing them how to do their job whilst the temp still stands there.

“They may have had the pay rise ready to go, but they only announced it on the day we put our newsletter out.”

annual pay rise ? most of the working population have not seen rise for many a year, ever wonder why car prices are continually increased especially in recessionary times, this is unsustainable , unless the company is making large profits, I suspect like many others that lay offs will be inevitable.

annual pay rise ? most of the working population have not seen rise for many a year, ever wonder why car prices are continually increased especially in recessionary times, this is unsustainable , unless the company is making large profits, I suspect like many others that lay offs will be inevitable.faatmaan

Billy Jo wrote:
Join Unite..... Then you can all wave goodbye to your jobs. Unions represent themselves. They care not one jot for the working man.

what a stupid thing to say the union is for working people without working
people there would not be a union .

[quote][p][bold]Billy Jo[/bold] wrote:
Join Unite..... Then you can all wave goodbye to your jobs. Unions represent themselves. They care not one jot for the working man.[/p][/quote]what a stupid thing to say the union is for working people without working
people there would not be a union .half abdullah

I can't believe what I'm reading! Unite honestly think a pay increase decision was only decided at 4pm that afternoon, after the handing out of a poorly written newsletter that did nothing but advertise itself!

Pay increases, whatever the percentage and regardless of the numbers of staff are simply not decided in a short afternoon meeting, which may I add was actually held at 9am to discuss the issue of announcing the pay rise to staff following unites actions that morning. It was decided in previous meetings that the announcement of the pay increase would be put off until the temporary workers had finished their roles as it was insensitive and morally wrong, which I whole-heartedly agree with.

Unions has have no understanding of how manufacturing business work, they are using this time of economic uncertainty to benefit themselves. If it was possible to upload an image of the newsletter, I would and you could see this for yourself.

TS Tech have been shown in bad light by Unites advertiser report which is unfair. They can only employ the numbers that's required by the production volume required. It's that simple! Now what unite fail to mention is that associates have received pay increases annually for many years as well as substantial financial bonuses at Christmas as well as Christmas gifts and summer bonuses in better performing years.

I hope Matt Hill of Unite reads this, not that he'd have much to add.

I can't believe what I'm reading! Unite honestly think a pay increase decision was only decided at 4pm that afternoon, after the handing out of a poorly written newsletter that did nothing but advertise itself!
Pay increases, whatever the percentage and regardless of the numbers of staff are simply not decided in a short afternoon meeting, which may I add was actually held at 9am to discuss the issue of announcing the pay rise to staff following unites actions that morning. It was decided in previous meetings that the announcement of the pay increase would be put off until the temporary workers had finished their roles as it was insensitive and morally wrong, which I whole-heartedly agree with.
Unions has have no understanding of how manufacturing business work, they are using this time of economic uncertainty to benefit themselves. If it was possible to upload an image of the newsletter, I would and you could see this for yourself.
TS Tech have been shown in bad light by Unites advertiser report which is unfair. They can only employ the numbers that's required by the production volume required. It's that simple! Now what unite fail to mention is that associates have received pay increases annually for many years as well as substantial financial bonuses at Christmas as well as Christmas gifts and summer bonuses in better performing years.
I hope Matt Hill of Unite reads this, not that he'd have much to add.CraigClark